Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-02-02
Outrage Case.

The trial or J0nn IL. NesC on tne charge
of HOUSEKEEPING with intent to commit
outrage was resumed in the Criminal Court
of Washington yesterday morning. The
first witness called was Mrs. Mary ]. Page,
the lady whose house was entered. Witness
testified that on the night Of the 18th OF
November last she was awakened, how she
does not know, but as soon as she was fully
awake she detected the odor Of chloroform.
She arose at once. Witness was sure her
mother was asleep when witness arose.
| Witness went TO the mantel TO light the gas,
when she saw man just outside the cham
Der door. AT that moment the man dashed
into the room, seized her by the back of the
neck and struck her in the mouth many
times Her mother screamed and the
struggle lasted from three TO five minutes
Witness was not thrown to the floor while
she was conscious Witness thought she
was struck in the mouth by the bottle OF
cnIoroform, but knew she was deuged with
chloroform. Witness also thought she was
at no time entirely unconscious. After the
man ran oil witness let the gas on, then
went down and let in The crowd that had
gathered Witness then went back TO bed.
During the latter portion Of her struggle
with the man he placed his hand upon her
person. Next morning West came to the
house of witness and told her that he had
been in dazed condition the night before,
and had come to her house, and he thought
that something terrible had happened.
West told her he had lost his glasses,
and wished she could find them for him.
He said do with me as you please. God
knows have done all could do to come
and admit it," Witness then demanded
l. Al IL,
had written him. He went away, and
some time afterwards her daughter Mary
brought some notes witness had written TO
West, and she destroyed them. On cross
examination witness said 81 don't remem.
Der to have written him line for months
before, but no difficulty had occurred"
West had done favors Tor her. He kindly
interested himself in having her put on
higher class of work. Before promotion
WITNESSES salary was 5000, and at the time of
the attack she was getting 81 200 per an
num- She said II destroyed the letters
because did not wish any one 10 know
that had corresponded with such per-
son." She had demanded return of the
notes in order to deatroy them. Some of
these notes were on business, some thank
ing West for favors, and many others de-
clping favors. He had furnished witness
and the other ladies lunch, fruit. &C. Wit
ness had given West flowers on his birthday,
with note wishing him many returns. AT
this point hair was shown. Witness had
given some strands of hair that had fallen
on her dress to West. This was done at the
office, where witness had exchanged notes
with West. a tube rose in bottle was here
shown, and witness said she gave that rose
to West. He put it in bottle, and witness
wrote the date, August, 1885, on the paper
on the bottle. Witness is not familiar with
the language of flowers does not know
what significance attaches to tube rose
does not remember whether she gave flow
ers and strands of hair to any other person.
Witness spent one summer at Forest Glen,
Montgomery county, Md. West had often
kissed the hand of witness at the office
when anything had been handed him by
her. Letters were then read from Mrs.
Page to West, one thanking West for gifts
to her mother another, December &c, 1888,
thanking him for the trouble he had taken
for her at the Office while she was sick.
Witness did accept presents from
cards. a valentine,
perfumery case-which she at first |
refused, but afterwards, at his urgent re-
quest, gave to her little daughter. Witness gave
West book and a religious medal.
The cross examination was concluded subse
quently, and the Judge having warned the jury
TO converse with TO one concerning the trial. the
Court adjourned.